Kapiti Coast Ride Outs

[gav24]

Hey all,
New thread from the Kapiti Coast adventure massive!

I'll start us off with a 2 part ride this Saturday 19/6, that stormtrooper and me have formulated over a coffee break at work today...

Here's the plans;

Part 1. (Good 50/50 road/offroad tyres recommended)
Leave the Waikanae Coffee Cart at 9am, I'll be there from 8.30 with Stormtrooper getting a coffee.
Regroup and collect any others at Otaki BP (the one by the roundabout) 9.20am
Head up and over the Thomson track out of Otaki to Ohau, arrive at Ohau Cafe on SH1 at 12.30am
Lunch (not sure if open on saturdays - maybe ?)

Part 2. (Fine on Road based trail tyres like Trail Wings etc)l
Leave Ohau Cafe at 1.30
Head North via some nice easy tracks and up towards Shannon, or see where we get to.
Possibly head out to Himitangi for a play on the beach!

Part 1. is an awesome track, a bit challenging in a few places but a steady pace and some keen helpers will get you through. Some really cool water splashes (not deep but long). Great views of the coast from the summit and a great descent back to Ohau.:wari:
Part 2. is a really fun track which is nice and smooth and wide, again great views. :yes:

I made the first part last year on worn out trailwings, but I wouldnt recommend it if you want to keep your bike scratch/dent free! 2nd part is big bike / bald tyre / novice friendly.:innocent:

Weather looks good at the moment so come along and have some fun!:sunny:

Not going to post this on a calender, we'll be going anyway so just turn up if your keen for some great riding.:scooter::scooter::scooter:

[gav24]

210697210698

A couple of shots to whet your appetite for saturdays ride:yes::yes:

1st one is the view from the top of Thomsons at the back of Otaki.
2nd one is one of the coolest water crossings ever I reckon, and is on the way to the summit.
Even an old KLR looks good in this one! :rockon:

Tempted....?

[dino3310]

210697210698

A couple of shots to whet your appetite for saturdays ride:yes::yes:
Tempted....?

Foocking aye im tempted, but my 5hour ride there puts me off :no:

[bart]

Foocking aye im tempted, but my 5hour ride there puts me off :no:

Well I've only got 2 hours, so I've got no excuse.:scooter:

[gav24]

Great, be cool to ride with you again Bart. Give Ward a nudge? And 'Marks' is a local-yokel so just waiting for his ugly mug to pop up as well:blink:

Weather still looking good on the Metservice website...

"Looks like we got ourselves a convoy!" :rockon:

[gloves]

Love to have made this one but on childminding duties, :angry: have fun

[bart]

Great, be cool to ride with you again Bart. Give Ward a nudge? And 'Marks' is a local-yokel so just waiting for his ugly mug to pop up as well:blink:

Weather still looking good on the Metservice website...

"Looks like we got ourselves a convoy!" :rockon:

My weekend is filling up fast. I'd really like to have a look at that Thomson track thing, so I'll see what I can do.

[stormtrooper]

Hi all,
Just an update to the ride on sat morning stage 1 Thomsons track.
I have made contact with Land Owner as to access to the start of Thomsons Track, and he is all good with it, we can use the old farm road to get to the start which will make things a lot easyer. Good onya farmer Dave.

Dave mentioned that the track has not been used for some time and will be testing, also he said to the right where it forks is a track that runs for 2 or so kms into a valley, might be fun as a detour at the start.

Bart this is the track for you mate, hope to see you there.



STORMTROOPER

[gav24]

Does that mean that we get to go through the boggy bits and then I can get electrocuted on that fence again trying to ride around a puddle!:shit::gob::blink:
Or does Farmer Dave's track mean I can avoid that 'shocking' start to the ride? Hope so!
Good on ya for sorting that out.

[marks]

Hiya Guys

Unfortunately I'm not going to be able to get there

Mt Thompson is awesome - pity its not a bit longer.

There is a great side trail to the south near the summit that follows the top of some hills heading back towards Otaki for a couple of km. Its a bit slippery but well worth a look

take lots of photos


Dave said to the right where it forks is a track that runs for 2 or so kms into a valley, might be fun as a detour at the start.

I believe the slip has been cleared

http://webcoda.com/images/bike/SV100824.jpg

[stormtrooper]

Catch up with you on the next one Marks


STORMTROOPER

[andy mac]

also he said to the right where it forks is a track that runs for 2 or so kms into a valley, might be fun as a detour at the start.

I'm also going to skip this ride but I did the Twin Peaks Trail Ride in this area a few months ago. So my suggestion is take the right fork before the bridge, across paddock becoming an uphill clay track, near the top will be a left fork - note this for later. Continue thru some logged pine trees at top of hill, go down other side about .5km?, take left track which will take you into a pine forest. Go to the bottom (house close to forest) & then return same way to top of hill. There is nothing technical but some bits may be greasy. The track should be easy to spot as 400 bikes did several laps.
We didn't ride the left fork (now on your right facing downhill) but it might possibly go thru to Otaki Gorge suspension bridge. Happy exploring :blip:

[t3mp0r4ry nzr]

picking up my bike on the weekend so keen for future rides! keep us posted

[gav24]

I'm also going to skip this ride but I did the Twin Peaks Trail Ride in this area a few months ago. So my suggestion is take the right fork before the bridge, across paddock becoming an uphill clay track, near the top will be a left fork - note this for later. Continue thru some logged pine trees at top of hill, go down other side about .5km?, take left track which will take you into a pine forest. Go to the bottom (house close to forest) & then return same way to top of hill. There is nothing technical but some bits may be greasy. The track should be easy to spot as 400 bikes did several laps.
We didn't ride the left fork (now on your right facing downhill) but it might possibly go thru to Otaki Gorge suspension bridge. Happy exploring :blip:

Yep, know where you mean. We've already talked about having a play up here if the ground is dry enough (esp that clay:shit:) I got as far as the "private road" signs from Otaki susp. bridge, ie.500m from the bridge, but reckon its an easy link up from the Thompsons side where you cant read the signs:shifty:
Had a bit of rain recently so may be a bit of a mess up that first zig zag hill out of the paddocks though?...

[bart]

Can't make it guys. Have fun playing in the mud. Take lots of photos.

[gav24]

Weather looks good and just heading off in 10mins. Thanks for the camera reminder - nearly forgot!
updates / ride reports later...

[gav24]

Wow!
What a ride - some great new tracks today that dont look ridden that often either.
Didnt end up doing the Thomson peak track in the end we headed south instead as it was just Stormtrooper and me. Got past the slip in Marks photo - yep cleared now, and had a great ride in the hills, just about as far as we could go in all directions, found a private "Gundy's" hut, and finally ended up at the Otaki Forks susp bridge. Still a few more tracks to try up there that would make some cool loop rides.
Hope Stormtrooper Shane gets his photos up here soon as I was too busy riding to take any!
I think this means that we can now link Otaki forks to Ohau all off road - cool! If only the track from Odlins made it all the way through then it would be a monster P'ram-Karapoti-Odlins-Otaki -Thomson track-Ohau trail adventure!

[stormtrooper]

Another great fun day in the sun on the coast and as Gav has said we didnt make it to the Thomson track but took the right fork and headed south.
Photos to come when i can work out how to up load them

[stormtrooper]

Start of the ride looking down the valley, we are following the farm road which leads to a fork and the start of thompsons
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=210981

[stormtrooper]

Parked up just over the bridge this is the way to thompsons track, just before the bridge is the fork which we went up first for a look and ended up going through Grunndys as we now know it.
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=210983

More pics to come

[DR650gary]

Just saw this but was away anyway. I am a recent purchaser of a DR650 and wondered if the ride you did was doable for me. I also live near Ohau and am looking for some rides to practice on. My wife has a DR200 as well. Did the above ride require private land access?

Thanks

[stormtrooper]

Hi there, the DR650 and your wifes DR200 will get through here, will need a good set of dirt tyres for the winter mouths, and it all depends on your skill level, as for access there is a paper road leading up to the thompsons fork, but in winter its very bogy. I have made contact with the land owner of the farm we crossed at the start of the ride and he is fine with us going through. I would recomend the pram track if you need to build up your offroad skills, keep an eye on the thread you and your wife are more than welcome to come along on the next ride.

[stormtrooper]

Heading up grunndys track not to far from the start
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=211004

[stormtrooper]

Nice little hill climb that has some great veiws at the top
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=211002
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=211009

[stormtrooper]

Parts of the track are very big bike friendly, with some cool parts that are inclosed with trees and scrub to form a kind of tunnel
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=211007

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=211015
Gav on top of an old boiler type thing a relic from the tree felling past
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=211018

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=211010

[dino3310]

nice photos mate

[stormtrooper]

Heading into the scrub
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=211011
Track opens out and there are some forks not far from here , one we did not go down but later found out it ran along a ridgeline heading up otaki forks
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=211017
Slippery rocks on the way up had me picking up the KLR
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=211012
Running out of track and so close to the very top
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=211016

[Quasi]

Great pictures you guys. looks like it was a typical winter day on the Coast!

[stormtrooper]

Waitohu lodge didnt expect to find this
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=211013

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=211008
Looking out from the lodge
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=211006
After leaving the lodge we found a fork heading back that looked like it could take us out to otaki forks road, we stopped on the way down to look across the valley and see if we could spot the lodge, no luck but we did spot somthing can you see it in the next pic?
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=211014

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=211019
Yes another track to explore

[stormtrooper]

After a very slippery decent with some big water holes and a pine forest with a wet grass track (no front brakes on this stuff) we came out at the foot hills of otaki forks and found a friend on the way
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=211003

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=211005
We have now found the access point from otaki forks and i cant wait to do the ride again from this end as a start point

[andy mac]

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=211004

Nice work Shane. It looks like the KLR now has a meaty back tyre & which gang patch is that on the sidecover?

[stormtrooper]

Hi Andy, I must say a meaty back tyre and a racing pipe does do wonders in the ruf stuff, will have to catch up for a ride soon

[marks]

Hi Andy, I must say a meaty back tyre and a racing pipe does do wonders in the ruf stuff, will have to catch up for a ride soon

awesome photos

you'll have to take us on a guided tour sometime soon

[stormtrooper]

Will do for sure, we can enter at otaki forks road now and ride through Grunndys onto thompsons and out at North Manaku domain, will make for an interesting fun days ride

[gav24]

Great photos Shane!
Really got the spirit of the ride; sun out, new tracks, awesome views... Bloody heaven - even in winter. On our doorstep too.
In summer this would make an awesome ride for any adv bike, in winter its a bit slick in places so good tyres are a must! But this is now on my 'top rides' list, especially with the link to the Thomsons hill route as well.
Looking forward to another break in the weather and a free weekend day so we can do this again.
Next time hope to take a few more of you through our new find!

[stormtrooper]

Great photos Shane!
Really got the spirit of the ride; sun out, new tracks, awesome views... Bloody heaven - even in winter. On our doorstep too.
In summer this would make an awesome ride for any adv bike, in winter its a bit slick in places so good tyres are a must! But this is now on my 'top rides' list, especially with the link to the Thomsons hill route as well.
Looking forward to another break in the weather and a free weekend day so we can do this again.
Next time hope to take a few more of you through our new find!

Your right there Gav its got to be at the top of the list of extreme adventure day rides and linking with Thomsons just awesome

[gav24]

Your right there Gav its got to be at the top of the list of extreme adventure day rides and linking with Thomsons just awesome

Only "extreme" if you attempt the final climb to the summit.... Considering the rain we've had it was pretty good, non of the water crossings were that deep. The same/easier that Odlins? If using as a link straight to Thompsons then its pretty cruisy for most bikes I reckon.
"Extreme" was that "jump off" with the Africa Twin on Odlins last year! Ha Ha Ha! We should a got Red Bull sponsorship for that I reckon!
Who was that guy? He needs to get the @T up over these tracks... in winter .... on road tyres!

[t3mp0r4ry nzr]

Nice!
10charactors

[marks]

while you guys were playing at Otaki some of us were playing on a staircase and in a garden and in a bog

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[andy mac]

:clap: Great video Mark, those blue bikes are so photogenic :yes:

[pete376403]

That hole *looks* bottomless - did anyone walk it or probe with a long stick to see how deep it really is?

[marks]

That hole *looks* bottomless - did anyone walk it or probe with a long stick to see how deep it really is?

Hi Pete
we don't normally probe holes - we leave that for bmw riders.
If we can't scoot around them someone (usually me) does a banzai charge while all the 'helpers' stand around with cameras

this is an awesome ride - so much variety of riding and such a feeling of total isolation when you are in the valley between the staircase and the rock garden.

[DR650gary]

Hi there, the DR650 and your wifes DR200 will get through here, will need a good set of dirt tyres for the winter mouths, and it all depends on your skill level, as for access there is a paper road leading up to the thompsons fork, but in winter its very bogy. I have made contact with the land owner of the farm we crossed at the start of the ride and he is fine with us going through. I would recomend the pram track if you need to build up your offroad skills, keep an eye on the thread you and your wife are more than welcome to come along on the next ride.

Where is the entry or exit point for the Paraparaumu track?

Thanks

[DR650gary]

Hit Kuku beach this afternoon, and made a special effort to find the quicksand. Not an easy task but if you persevere it can be found. Hit a small water crossing and sank in up to the bottom of the side covers. Thought I had broken a chain but when I jumped off was in the mud up to my knees. Took a while to lift and drag it out and the black silt lingers:

(If you fancy a sandy ride, which can go to Otaki in the south or Foxton (almost) in the north, drop me a PM and we can try to sort a ride.

Thank god I'm not an MP or the credit card would have come out.....or an Auckland (White shoes, gold chain..) mayoral candidate.

Cheers

[marks]

Where is the entry or exit point for the Paraparaumu track?

Thanks

if you contact the Wellingtn Regional Council in Upper Hutt and get a free access permit they will send you a free map which shows the access points and main tracks. Just be aware that the main tracks can be pretty slippery in winter.

[GPS MAN]

WOW! Looks like you guys had a great ride:rockon:

I need to pay more attention...I would have given it a go:scooter:

Next Time

[marks]

WOW! Looks like you guys had a great ride:rockon:

I need to pay more attention...I would have given it a go:scooter:

Next Time

Let us know when you want to head down this way and we'll organize a ride to show you around - just make sure you fit those 606's first

[gav24]

Let us know when you want to head down this way and we'll organize a ride to show you around - just make sure you fit those 606's first

I rekon that once lambings out the way next summer there must be a huge 1 or possibly 2 day ride we could put together for all our "out-of-town" pals. The list of rides is pretty big and these are just the big bike friendly ones...
Karapoti crossing
Odlins
Grundys
Thomsons
a few beach rides
Shannon - windturbines

Starting to get away from the coast a bit now, but you get the idea. Any I've missed out? Probably hundreds...
Be a good ride to link as many of these up in a day though...

[gav24]

Looks like Andy Mac is making a night ride to the Hut at the end of Odlins road this Saturday night. Good on Ya!
See Wellington ride out thread for more info.
Just thought I'd post it up here as well as its a Kapiti Coast area ride too.
I'm 50/50 at the moment, as we have other plans at the moment.
But I know a White KLR that would be difficult to lose at night... aye Shane!
Sounds very tempting though...

[stormtrooper]

[QUOTE=marks;1129790074]while you guys were playing at Otaki some of us were playing on a staircase and in a garden and in a bog

Looks like the staircase has claimed another bike, the rider is alright which is great but he had a cold night out, must of fell in one of those big holes and it swollowed the bike, read the newspaper for more info

STORMTROOPER

[stormtrooper]

About time this thread was up and running again.
Keen on an Odlins run in the near future, also have found an interesting track off the Acks road about halfway in, some amazing river views and an old bridge to ride across, havent been over the other side but will be going back to check it out and take some pics.

[DR650gary]

About time this thread was up and running again.
Keen on an Odlins run in the near future, also have found an interesting track off the Acks road about halfway in, some amazing river views and an old bridge to ride across, havent been over the other side but will be going back to check it out and take some pics.

Give us a hint where. Left side going east or right?

Cheers

[stormtrooper]

Give us a hint where. Left side going east or right?

Cheers

Not to far passed the karapoti turn off about 2kms heading north

[DR650gary]

Not to far passed the karapoti turn off about 2kms heading north

Thanks for that. Will go for a wee look on Saturday, weather permitting as I'm a girl about the rain and wind:sunny:

[gav24]

Time to get organised...
I'm sitting in the sun, thinking what a great day for riding - but no time today...:bye:

So heres a plan for a mega 1 day Kapiti Coast adv route based around SH1.

Start at QE park main entrance.
Head up the gravel, waterfall road, route into the Mungakutukutuku's
Choice of routes to Karapoti entrance on the akatarua rd. Via Orange hut.
If Stormtrooper has checked out the "new spot" could be a optional detour here if time.
Then (again if time) a trip to Odlins hut (for lunch) and back.
Down the aka's in to waikanae up to peka peka and possibly the beach to te-horo (breaking a bloody stupid by-law...)
Then up to Otaki forks swing bridge and along the now named Grundy's hut track to the Otaki quarry and the start of the Thomsons hill track,
Follow that until emerging at Manukau and back on SH1.

Should be a toughy to get it all in in one day - (esp Odlins as well) you'll need good knobbies as well.
Best part is the number of "opt outs" and back to SH1 if you need to want to head off early, or skip a bit, or most likely run out of time and fuel!

Who's in for next weekend...Sat or Sun.

[gav24]

Seems there may be a ride on up "the hill" next weekend....

I'll hang fire on this one til for a few weeks now if the Cnut hill trip is on.

[gav24]

Just resurecting this one again...
I'm heading out tomorrow morning from waikanae up to the akatarawa summit on the tarseal, then off into the bush down odlins road to the hut - or as far as we feel like.
Very easy slow paced ride, heading in with a newby.
Probably lots of stopping.
Very suitable for novices to this cool track - reasonably knobbly tyres probably a good idea tomorrow.
Starting from waikanae coffee cart at 9am.
At the summit sometime after 9.15.

[Pikey]

Awesome Gav. Great first outing for the DR:yes:
Cheers,
Pikey aka newby:woohoo:

[gav24]

Yeah, great ride aye.
Odlins road always suprises me...
More fun than I remember,
Great when its wet or dry, good rocky base and pretty clear of clay and mud.
Even found a surprise set of old forestry winch gear not too far from the hut, right by the track - never noticed it before:facepalm:
Definately recommend this track to anyone who hasnt done it yet.
Good way to spend a few hours on a sunday:yes::scooter::yes:

- I really should take a camera with me...

[gav24]

Off we go again... (yay! its been a while:2thumbsup)
Heading up into the mungakutukutuku's tomorrow...
Both on DR650s with "50/50" tyres so will be fairly easy pace.
Starting from the end of the new section of waterfall road, opposite the entrance to Queen Elizabeth park.
About 8.30 start from there, probably all done by lunch time. Hopefully not a washout... forecast is for showers...
No plans, other than to have fun and not get too extreme in there.
All welcome.

[gav24]

Good ride this morning, and gave the new wet weather gear a good test run today...
From the new "emerald glen" road, waterfall road (been graded and rolled for the logging trucks:() and into the mangakutukutuku playground.
Basic crossing really, Perhams, Hydro, Orange hut, Norms crossing, Pram track, and out on to the akatarawa road via Karapoti entrance.
Aka's road closed to traffic, but not if your on an ADV bike:2thumbsup
Some serious work on 2 new bridges going in, 2nd crossing required another river crossing (7th of the day by my count) Then rain turned heavy all the way back down to Waikanae.
Lots of water, but ride was all good, heaps of fun and the rivers were pretty low as well - surprisingly!
So how good were the waterproofs?
Stayed pretty dry whilst the rain was light for the first few hours - the gore tex socks held up well. Then the rain got real heavy and I reckon they lasted another hour or so before I was sitting in a puddle and my socks filled up from the tops.:weep:
Weise jacket and Buffalo pants (cordura) and Gore-tex socks. All good, my well vented mx boots even became waterproof for a few hours, but yet to find the perfect set up for the really heavy rain and river crossings (dont think it actually exists for under $1500 - let alone under $150:nya:)
Will try to be more organised next time, there were just 2 of us today, and post up the plans a bit earlier. I might even take a camera! maybe...

[Eddieb]

Good ride this morning, and gave the new wet weather gear a good test run today...
From the new "emerald glen" road, waterfall road (been graded and rolled for the logging trucks:() and into the mangakutukutuku playground.
Basic crossing really, Perhams, Hydro, Orange hut, Norms crossing, Pram track, and out on to the akatarawa road via Karapoti entrance.
Aka's road closed to traffic, but not if your on an ADV bike:2thumbsup
Some serious work on 2 new bridges going in, 2nd crossing required another river crossing (7th of the day by my count) Then rain turned heavy all the way back down to Waikanae.
Lots of water, but ride was all good, heaps of fun and the rivers were pretty low as well - surprisingly!
So how good were the waterproofs?
Stayed pretty dry whilst the rain was light for the first few hours - the gore tex socks held up well. Then the rain got real heavy and I reckon they lasted another hour or so before I was sitting in a puddle and my socks filled up from the tops.:weep:
Weise jacket and Buffalo pants (cordura) and Gore-tex socks. All good, my well vented mx boots even became waterproof for a few hours, but yet to find the perfect set up for the really heavy rain and river crossings (dont think it actually exists for under $1500 - let alone under $150:nya:)
Will try to be more organised next time, there were just 2 of us today, and post up the plans a bit earlier. I might even take a camera! maybe...

Did you buy the Weise gear at home? I have a jacket I bought in '95 thats still going well, though no longer waterproof.
I'd have bought them again as their current range looks pretty good but no one anywhere over here seems to stock it.

[thepom]

Here,s what I use..........bought a pair in Istanbul 8 years ago and they are still waterproof..

http://www.sealskinz.com/socks/long-light-socks

[gav24]

Yeah got the weise jacket in the UK earlier this year, bargain of the century at Malvern classic autojumble. Brand New clearance sale for 15 quid!!! thats $30:2thumbsup :killingme
Nice tan colour, removable thermal liner, knox armour in shoulders and elbows. Cut a bit longer, sort of like a cross between an enduro and a touring jacket - was fully water proof for about 3-4 hours then started to give up a bit around the front zip. Not bad for the $$$$!
Yep sealskinz socks used as well, first proper trial. Felt a bit wierd when my boots were full of water and I could feel the familiar squelching, but my tootsies were bone dry:banana:
Eventually they filled up from the top though!:weep: again after 7 rivers and a final very heavy deluge so pretty good I think.